Some thoughts on "The Guide"

The second book which I managed to read during my chicken pox days was R K Narayan's classic love story- "The Guide." Now, please don't think that I have the audacity to review a book written by some one like R K Narayan. I am just trying to pen down my thoughts on the book. For years together, I have been fascinated by this story of Raju and Rosy, more so after watching the marvellously shot songs of Vijay Anand's cinematic version of the classic novel starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. Who can forget the immortal songs like Gaata Rahe Mera Dil, Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hain and Piya to se naina lage re. Not that I have had a chance to watch the entire movie, but whatever I had seen of it in bits and pieces had interested me immensely. This was the reason why I picked up the Guide at DC Books, Kochi and man, what a great work it is! Starting as the story of Railway Raju, a small town guy turned petty shop owner turned tourist guide, it proceeds to become the love story of Raju and Rosy. Marco and Rosy, man and wife, bump into Raju and make use of his services as a tourist guide in Malgudy. How Raju interacts closely with the family, understands the lack of love and passion in their relationship and falls for Rosy's charm is what the rest of the story is all about. Now, Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Narayan is one of the greatest Indo Anglian writers ever, there is no question on that. What sets "The Guide" apart from his other works is the sheer progressive theme. One does not expect a writer from India, that too from the more conservative South India to write a story about a woman who leaves her husband for another man and eventually, ends up a successful dancer. One may initially feel offended at Rosy's lack of morality, but the way Rosy's character has been conceived and narrated, you cannot help but feel for her. In spite of dealing with a theme and protagonists who break every rule of the traditional Indian society of the 1950's, the narrative progresses on a very judicious note with Raju being jailed for forgery. His consequent release from jail, his travel to another village and how the people in the village mistake him for a yogi have been explained very interestingly indeed. The inevitable death of Raju in the end in a way upholds the traditional "good wins over evil" dictum too. All in all, the Guide is an extremely enjoyable book that grows on you slowly and provides the kind of pleasure that you derive from listening to slow, melodious music.